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FOXBORO In tight end Jake Ballard brief, oneyear tenure with the Patriots, he has gone from a luxury to a necessity, all while barely spending any time on the field.

Remember, when the Pats snagged Ballard from the Giants, it was an intriguing move that only boosted their embarrassment www.buccaneersofficialnflshop.com/Authentic-Vincent-Jackson-Jersey of riches at the position. They could afford to let him rehab his surgically repaired knee and hope for the best in 2013.

But now that Rob Gronkowski will endure back surgery, his sixth operation since February 2012, and Aaron Hernandez is working his way back from shoulder surgery, the Pats truly will benefit if Ballard can return to his 2011 form. At a minimum, Ballard could take pressure off the starting tandem if he can earn the added reps.

Ballard has been active during the Pats first two weeks of organized team activities, but he still is limited. There no need to rush him through spring workouts, especially if he on point with his mental reps.

doing my best I can to be 100 percent, Ballard said yesterday in his first meeting with the media since joining the Pats. I out here, I feel like I putting in good work and getting better.

not full go for the whole practice. It not like they just turning me to the wolves. I talk with the trainers and coaches, and they all tell me what I limited to do and what they think I going to be able to do. We just gradually improve from there, week to week and day to day. tore his ACL in Super Bowl XLVI against the Patriots, and he also had microfracture surgery, so this is no small hurdle to climb. Yet, the Pats were intrigued enough to take advantage of the Giants mental flatulence last June, when they subjected Ballard to waivers in order to sneak him onto injured reserve.

The series of transactions was unexpected, even for Ballard, but this has suddenly become the time when the two sides could really use one another to create a return to normalcy.

pretty crazy at first how everything went down, Ballard said. was very thankful to be in the league and be with a great organization like the Giants. I putting that behind me. I very excited about being here. I loved being here for the last year or so, and now I finally ready to help put it together and help this team. leader

Rob Ninkovich has come a long way since being the 80th man on the Patriots roster during training camp in 2009. After a major overhaul that began in 2010, there are only eight players on the current roster who have been with the Pats longer than Ninkovich.

The 29yearold laughed because he one of the older guys in the room.

think I done a good amount of things around here to kind of be considered a leader right now, Ninkovich said. just trying to do everything I can to help the young guys out and get them acclimated to the new surroundings. the money

Defensive lineman Tommy Kelly can learn from the Patriots past. Even though his contract would make it a near certainty that he www.buccaneersofficialnflshop.com/Authentic-Mark-Barron-Jersey be on the team out of camp, he learned that no one can be comfortable. Just ask Richard Seymour or surprising cuts like Kyle Love and Brandon Deaderick.

(Belichick) doesn guarantee anybody anything, Kelly said. see how many people they get rid of around here? signed a twoyear, $5 deal that included a $1 signing bonus, so the Pats expect him to be on the 53man roster in 2013. . Patriots had their fifth OTA yesterday, the second open to the media. Linebacker Brandon Spikes (working out on his own), receiver Julian Edelman (foot), running back Brandon Bolden (ankle) and Gronkowski were missing again.

Safety Devin McCourty (shoulder) and offensive linemen Sebastian Vollmer (knee) and Dan Connolly (shoulder) were among the players who were limited and didn participate in team drills.